Dear Upper School Parents & Students, 

Happy February! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a bit of warmth. My fingers are crossed that Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction is wrong and that spring is headed our way sooner rather than later! However, with warmer weather, it would be impossible to construct a SnowGriffin…

The highlight of the week was last night’s Homecoming Dance–the turnout was phenomenal, and students seemed to have a wonderful time! Congratulations to this year’s King and Queen: Evans Taylor and Mary Franklin Gilman! A tremendous thank you to Ms. Sorrenti, Ms. McGrath, Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Flores, Ms. Greer, Ms. Camp, Ms. Wesneski, Dr. Boyle, and Officer Burgess for spending their evening chaperoning! 

Just in case you missed the Parents’ Community All Parent meeting this past Wednesday, I’m delighted to share information surrounding SDS’s new partnership with Global Online Academy. Global Online Academy (GOA) is an internationally recognized consortium of leading independent schools dedicated to fostering modern, student-centered learning. Implementing a GOA partnership strategically diversifies our course catalog, cultivates essential 21st-century competencies, and connects our students to a vibrant, global peer network. 

This strategic partnership with GOA is a direct response to three core institutional imperatives: to fulfill our school's mission of providing “a superior education experience...", to meet the demand for exceptional rigor required by the increasingly selective college admissions landscape, and to satisfy internal community desire for an elevated academic experience.

The GOA catalog features over 70 unique courses, empowering students to pursue authentic intellectual passions, deepen self-discovery, and cultivate the adaptable skills essential for a "life well lived". Integrating Global Online Academy is more than an addition to our curriculum; it is an investment in the relevance and rigor of our Upper School program. GOA provides an immediate, scalable solution to diversifying our course offerings while explicitly teaching the self-directed, digital, and collaborative competencies today’s students will need to thrive. Importantly, this partnership directly addresses the desire for an elevated academic experience indicated by our community surveys, while simultaneously meeting our mission requirements and enhancing the competitiveness of our graduates in the selective college admissions process.

Please let me know if you have questions or are interested in learning more about the policies that will govern student enrollment, academic recognition, and/or financial responsibilities. If your student is interested in enrolling in a GOA course (for Summer 2026 or the '26-'27 school year), then please connect with their College Counselor to discuss the options. 

Looking forward, here is what’s on the horizon for the division:

• Sunday, February 8
  • SAT Prep from 1:00 - 3:00 PM in the Seminar Room
• Friday, February 13 - Monday, February 16
  • Winter Break/President’s Day
• Monday, February 23 - Friday, February 28
  • Special Studies Week
• Friday, March 6
  • End of Q3
• Saturday, March 7
  • Parents' Community Annual Soiree and Auction
• Tuesday, March 10
  • Spring Picture Day
• Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 20
  • Spring Break

Quarter 3 Progress Reports are now live–please reach out directly to the teacher if you have any questions. 

Lastly, please remember to email attendance@sdsgriffin.org if your student needs to leave early, will be arriving late, or will not be at school. As always, please check the athletic team calendars for the most up-to-date information on athletic competitions. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful (2-day!) weekend,

Jenny Glenn
Head of Upper School